Two of the top ten trainers in the UK at the moment hail from a small little village in the Cotswolds.

Naunton is home to Fergal O'Brien and Nigel Twiston-Davies, who have enjoyed tremendous success sharing the facilities at Grange Farm.

They have both saddled winners numbering in the forties this season- and around one in five of O'Brien's runners have been hitting the mark.

He's ahead of some of the UK's biggest trainers such as Donald McCain and Philip Hobbs in the table which is based on prize money.

O'Brien has had three winners at Cheltenham already in the current campaign. Here's his guide to the yard's entries for the International Meeting:

Friday

1.20pm Catesby Handicap Hurdle: Okotoks

Another recruit for Malcolm Denmark from Tony Martin's yard. Has only run ten times as a seven-year-old, winning a National Hunt Flat race and a maiden hurdle.

O'Brien said: "Okotoks is new to us and we are just finding our way with him. I'm keen to start off over two miles to see how he does. He's a nice horse who works well at home.

"Malcolm brought some of his horses over from Ireland and they have come to me for now as Mark Pitman has run out of room. I would have six or seven of his including a couple of bumper horses (including winner Mercy Mercy Me)."

Priced up by bookmakers as the favourite for this 2m 4f contest after winning on her chasing debut at Ayr. Has taken a bit of time to progress for owner Cedric Brookes, who enjoyed Listed success at Cheltenham with another mare The Govaness, when she was trained at this yard

O'Brien said: "Socksy is unlikely to run.

"She wasn't quite right a couple of weeks ago and we haven't had enough time with her."

2.30pm Unicoin Group Handicap Chase: Alvarado

Alvarado enjoying this week's snow (Image: All images: FOB Racing)

A yard favourite and specialist in marathon contests, he has been fourth in three Nationals- the English (twice) and Scottish (once)

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Hovering around a mark in the 120s since rattling off a hat-trick in the summer of 2016, the seven-year-old can be relied upon to run his race. Has not run on ground worse than good to soft for this yard

O'Brien said: "He's so consistent the handicapper doesn't drop him at all.

"Last time at Cheltenham (in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Series Qualifier) it was another good run and hopefully Jonathan Burke can ride him again.

The first two ran in similar company at the November Meeting. Aye Aye Charlie fell when pushed along three out and Poetic Rhythm finished third trying to concede 5lb to the winner On The Blind Side, who has impressed since. Global Stage has always been well-regarded and actually made his hurdling debut in Grade One company

O'Brien said: "When Aye Aye Charlie fell he was by no means beaten. If the ground became horrible we probably wouldn't go back there. Poetic Rhythm is a very solid horse, he always tries his best and the Cheltenham winner has franked the form.

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"I'm probably more inclined to run Global Stage (same owners as Poetic Rhythm). He has won his only race this season and is fresh.

"We will look at the ground on Thursday and make a decision. If he doesn't go to Cheltenham I imagine he would go to Newbury (Challow Hurdle)."

3.40pm OLBG Mares' Handicap Hurdle: Oscar Rose

Has not won in three races over hurdles but is learning all the time and was up against what has turned out to be a decent horse in The Queen's Sunshade (followed up comfortably since) last time out. Expected to try handicap company for the first time

O'Brien said: "I would definitely like to run her as long as it isn't too soft.

"She was second to The Queen's horse which skated up at Market Rasen. We thought we'd try a handicap and see how we go."